Area teachers vote to ratify their agreement

The settlement comes after area school and wharekura teachers joined with their primary and secondary colleagues in the largest education strike in New Zealand’s history on 29 May, and follows primary teachers voting to ratify their settlement earlier this week.

Area school teachers, who are jointly represented by NZEI Te Riu Roa and PPTA, will move onto a new unified base pay scale from 1 July, which will see them have pay parity with their primary and secondary teaching colleagues.

NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda Stuart said the outcome was important for area school teachers and wharekura kaiako.

“As with our primary teachers, I’m really pleased our passionate and dedicated area school teachers have secured pay parity and a significant pay increase in this deal – that’s really important if we’re to attract and retain people. We’ll be working hard to address outstanding workload and wellbeing issues through our accord with the Government.”

PPTA President Jack Boyle agrees, saying the agreement is “cause for celebration”.

“We are looking forward to progressing the issues of teacher shortages and excessive workloads in the accord,” he said.

Secretary for Education Iona Holsted says the Ministry welcomes the vote taken by area school teachers in favour of settling their collective agreement.

“We look forward to progressing the Accord with NZEI and PPTA, to resolve complex issues in the education system, such as workload and the future education workforce, that area school teachers also want addressed.”